AF Elbasani (Albanian: Akademia e Futbollit Elbasani), is an Albanian professional football club based in Elbasan. The club competes in the Kategoria Superiore, the top tier of Albanian football. Their home ground is Elbasan Arena.

AF Elbasani
Full nameAkademia e Futbollit Elbasani
Nickname(s)Tigrat
Founded2 August 2021; 3 years ago (2021-08-02)
StadiumElbasan Arena
Capacity12,800
OwnerBashkia Elbasan
PresidentKujtim Llupa
ManagerRoberto Bordin
LeagueKategoria Superiore
2023–24Kategoria e Parë, 1st (promoted)

History

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In 2021, the club was formed by the Elbasan Municipality after the disagreements with businessman Arben Laze who was the owner of the first football club KF Elbasani. Due to financial bankruptcy, Elbasani was seized by the Directorate of Taxes in Elbasan. So with the initiative of the fans they found the way and with the cooperation of Elbasan Municipality, AF Elbasani was created.[1] In the 2021–2022 season, they competed in the fourth tier of Albanian football, Kategoria e Tretë. In their first season, they achieved first place, gaining promotion to Kategoria e Dytë.[2] In the 2022–2023 season, AF Elbasani finished first in the Group B of the Kategoria e Dytë, which gained them promotion for the first time to the Kategoria e Parë.[3] In their first season, they finished in 1st place, and were crowned champions and were promoted to the Kategoria Superiore.[4]

Players

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Current squad

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As of 1 September 2024[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ALB Klevi Totoshi
2 DF   ALB Rei Zaimi
4 DF   ALB Bruno Lulaj (captain)
5 DF   ALB Harallamb Qaqi
6 MF   MDA Cristian Dros
7 FW   ALB Bedri Greca
8 FW   BRA Léo Melo
9 FW   CMR Blaise Tsague
10 MF   ALB Orgest Gava
11 MF   ALB Klevis Kasa
12 GK   ALB Redon Gega
14 MF   ALB Xhonatan Lajthia
16 MF   ALB Edon Hasani
17 DF   ALB Bruno Telushi
18 MF   ALB Arsen Kasa
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW   POR Zé Gomes
21 MF   KOS Endi Halili
22 FW   ALB Arsen Lleshi
23 DF   ALB Esin Hakaj
25 DF   ALB Alban Bica
27 MF   ALB Ardit Hila
28 MF   KOS Kron Abdiu
29 MF   ALB Emiljano Musta
31 MF   ALB Glenis Belloj
40 GK   GHA Razak Abalora
42 MF   ALB Kristi Qose
55 DF   MNE Emir Azemović
77 MF   ALB Bledar Lila
99 FW   ALB Amarildo Gjoni

Staff

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Name Position
  Roberto Bordin Head Coach
  Hektor Idrizaj Assistant Coach
  Elvis Kotorri Goalkeeping Coach
  Andrea Vezzu Fitness coach
  Mirko Panico Video Analyst
  Denis Asllani Video Analyst
  Orland Kastrati Physio
  Geris Lahi Physio
  Mark Doçi Physio
  Amarildo Hoxha Doctor
  Elton Guranjaku Sports Director
  Marenglen Çoku Administrator
  Armand Memetaj Team Manager
  Kristo Kristo Marketing Director

List of managers

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Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "AF Elbasani, historia e re e futbollit në qytetin traditë! Drejtori i klubit: Tifozët na mirëpritën" [AF Elbasani, a new football history in the city of tradition! The Director of the club: The fans welcomed us] (in Albanian). Shqiptarja. 29 July 2021.
  2. ^ "AF Elbasani shpallet kampion i Kategorisë së Tretë" [AF Elbasani become champions of Kategoria e Tretë] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 6 May 2022.
  3. ^ Kodra, Fatjon (2023-05-11). "Vora mposht AF Elbasanin në finale & shpallet fituese e Kategorisë së Dytë 2022/2023!". FSHF (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  4. ^ Sinani, Renaldo (2024-05-09). "AF Elbasani kurorëzohet ekipi kampion i Kategorisë së Parë për sezonin 2023-2024!". FSHF (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  5. ^ "AF Elbasani". Sofascore. 4 May 2022.